Quantitative Methods Applied to Business Sciences

This curricular unit (CU) will have a frequency regime consisting of 2 weekly theoretical and practical classes of 1.5 hours each.

The expository methodology will be used for the presentation of the UC concepts, supported by the practical component by carrying out exercises to apply the transmitted concepts.

The practical component will seek to approach, as much as possible, the problems of administration, economics and management that students will encounter in their professional life.

In order to better monitor the contents taught in class, active moments of individual or pair learning will be used, which will take place at key moments of the semester.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

Goals:

Structuring problems;

Study methods and functions to solve problems in the field of administration, economics and management

Use the correct mathematical technique to reach the solution;

Criticize results;

Prepare answers based on the analysis of the results;

Skills:

Apply methods and functions to problems related to the syllabus of other curricular units;

Model problems;

Solve systems;

Calculate and interpret derivatives of functions in different contexts

Determine the optimal solution 

Syllabus
Part 1. Matrix calculation

1. Systems of Linear Equations and Examples of Linear Models – Gauss and Gauss Elimination Method – Jordan.

2. Matrix algebra and its use.

3. Determinants.

4. Examples and applications (Portfolio Theory, IS-LM analysis, Leontief input-output matrix)

Part 2. Real functions
      1. Functions of one real variable

           1.1. Generalities.
           1.2. Limits and continuity.
           1.3. Derivative and derivation rules. Calculation of approximate values with differentials. Calculation of extremes.
           1.4. Fundamentals of primitives and integration.
           1.5.Examples and applications (production functions; cost, revenue, profit functions, respective marginal functions, Annuities, Present Value problems, and Optimal waiting time).

        2. Functions of two real variables

AE) Assessment by examination
The AE consists of a 120-minute written test, graded on a scale of 20 points, which will take place during any of the regular examination periods.
The final grade is obtained solely from the grade obtained in the AE.
In any of the written tests, no consultation is allowed, nor is the use of any electronic means, except for scientific calculators. Violation of this rule will result in the annulment of the respective test.
Passing the CU requires a minimum final grade of 10 points. There are no oral tests to pass the CU.

AC) Continuous assessment
The AC consists of 3 tests to be taken during the academic period, outside class hours, with the following weightings in the final grade for the course unit:
First test – 40% (8 points out of 20).
Second test – 30% (6 points out of 20).
Third test – 30% (6 points out of 20).

Each test will last 60 minutes. The date on which each test will take place, as well as the content to be assessed, will be announced at least 15 days in advance.
Exclusion criteria for the continuous assessment model: a student who has opted for this assessment model will be immediately excluded from it if one of the following situations occurs:
1. the student has missed more than 6 classes during the semester;
2. the student has missed one of the exams;
3. the student obtained a grade lower than:
• 2 out of 8 in the First test;
• 1.5 out of 6 in the Second test;
• 1.5 out of 6 in the Third test.

Students who are excluded from the continuous assessment model will automatically be admitted to the exam.
Final grade and approval for the course unit:
If the student has obtained the minimum grades required in each of the assessments, the final grade for the course unit corresponds to the sum of the grades obtained in each of the three assessments. The student is approved if the final grade is greater than or equal to 10 points.

NAO